4H’ers Cody Neidlinger, Emily Cope and Alexis Floyd prepare meals as part of the Effingham County 4H’s service projects.

4H’ers pledge their hands to larger service by participating in community service projects and citizenship activities.

“Youth need to feel their lives have meaning and purpose,” Abby Smith, 4H agent, said. “There is no better way to do that, than to give them a service venue.”

Each month local 4H’ers of Effingham are given an opportunity to practice serving others through adopting service projects such as: gathering personal hygiene supplies for the Treutlen Home For Boys, collecting baby items for the Pregnancy Care Center, serving food at the Salvation Army, saving pop tabs for The Ronald McDonald House and organizing various food pantries. The fifth and sixth graders are great at collecting and donating goods, while seventh through 12th graders focus more on serving.

“Our goal at 4H is to teach, train and equip young people in ways they themselves can contribute. To serve, rather than to be served, and to realize every little bit counts!” says, Faith Jaudon, 4H program assistant.

“The results have been overwhelmingly successful,” said Connie Heidt Rahn, 4H program assistant, “as students from across Effingham have made a significant contribution.”